TOMS RIVER, NJ – A move to redefine the employment status of several patronage jobs awarded by Toms River Mayor Maurice Hill into possible unionized and protected positions is on the agenda for tonight’s township council meeting.
“Of The Township Council, Township Of Toms River, Ocean County, New Jersey Amending And Supplementing Various Sections Of Chapter 46 (Department Of Human Services); Chapter 48 (Department Of Community Development); Chapter 54 (Department Of Public Works); And Chapter 56 (Department Of Recreation) Of The Township Code To Update And Revise The Provisions Governing Certain Employees Within Those Departments,” the ordinance reads.
Hill has been under fire since taking office for hiring friends to those same departments when he took office.
When you delve deeper into the ordinance, it appears that township officials allied with Mayor Hill are seeking to move to protect non-protected patronage hires from whoever wins the 2023 mayoral election.
Swapping out patronage jobs, known as ‘confidential’ employees, is a timeless tradition in Toms River. The employee pool of unprotected and non-unionized workers essentially acts as the cabinet for the mayor of the township.
Typically, those employees are dismissed upon the seating of a new mayor as that mayor replaces the positions with qualified people in their own circles. The act is vital to ensure the new mayors aren’t sabotaged by employees loyal to their opponents.
When Hill took office, he sent a letter to all of the confidential employees of his predecessor Tom Kelaher, saying all of Kelaher’s confidential employees would have to ‘reapply’ for the job.
The move on Wednesday attempts to protect Hill’s patronage hires in town hall after he is gone in January.
We reached out to Councilman Dan Rodrick today. Rodrick refused to comment on the topic at this time, citing he is working with Council President Matt Lotano to reconsider putting such a controversial ordinance on the agenda during a lame-duck session of government.
Lotano was contacted regarding this ordinance but did not respond.
Hill currently spends over $1,000,000 annually on public patronage. hires and confidential employees.